A retiree in the south of Lower Austria needs transitional care after his hospital stay. However, the search for it proved to be a challenge for the relatives. Why the flood is to blame – at least partly.
For an 84-year-old, a small cause can have a big effect. Slipped and injured your ankle: hospital stay, in a cast. It then becomes clear that the single widower cannot go home straight from the hospital; he needs so-called transitional care until he is mobile again.
Short-term care is currently mainly intended for flood victims
Finding such a place of care is the responsibility of hospital discharge management. But that is difficult at the moment: due to the flooding, many people in need of care who were cared for at home had to leave their home. They were temporarily assigned to short-term places in nursing homes. Therefore, there is no free space for the 84-year-old in nearby state houses.
“All you have to do is call around.”
The pensioner’s relatives visit all private healthcare institutions in the region – a free place has been promised. But it was too early to rejoice: the patient needs physiotherapy – unfortunately not possible in a private home. “Support” from the hospital: two pieces of paper with contact details of mobile nursing services and nursing agencies. And a tip: “You just have to call around!” The family does that – without success. Rejections from aid organizations to the Red Cross. Too few staff, more healthcare cases cannot be cared for at home several times a day.
You must be able to afford 24-hour care
After three weeks the gauntlet is over. The 84-year-old can finally leave the hospital. The relatives have found a company that has capacity for 24-hour care. The costs: 3100 euros!
Bottlenecks confirmed, expansion decided
The state’s social services confirm the shortages in the healthcare sector. On the one hand because of the flood, and on the other hand because of the shortage of skilled workers. However, they also point out that they have already responded to the staff shortage.
The number of training places for nursing professions has been expanded to approximately 2,100 per year. In 2030, 300 million euros will also be spent on the expansion and modernization of nursing homes. This will create 650 additional places.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
